Every word a writer writes has meaning yes, sometimes they never get published or the book editor suggests another word, but every word we read, write or utter has significance. For each of the past eight years The Lake Chapala Writers Conference has brought in motivational, educational, entertaining and award winning speakers. This year is no exception; both Karen Karbo and Bruce Holland Rogers are teaching the craft of writing this March 7th and 8th. They are entertaining, multi published, award winning writers, who will share their experiences, frustrations and successes as well as help attendees realize that although each story is different all writers share similar experiences from the germ of the idea to the satisfaction of print on the page.

Rogers writes short stories, flash fiction, novels and also teaches. His published works have brought him an international following as well as numerous writing awards. Rogers is a member of the fiction faculty of the prestigious MFA program of the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. He has taught and done story research in Hungary, Finland, Japan, France, Greece and Portugal. It is no wonder he has an international following. His stories have been translated into more than two dozen languages.

Among some of his writing awards are two Nebula Awards, two Micro Awards, two World Fantasy Awards, a Pushcart Award, the Bram Stoker Award and the Johnny-Cat Litter-ary Award for his cat-related story Enduring as Dust, which was also nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for the Edgar Allen Poe Award. In doing research I came across an Internet site called Bruce Holland Rogers-Summary Bibliography and counted over one hundred published short stories, several fiction novels, several poems, essays and this does not include the anthologies or collections that have published his stories, including works in El Ojo del Lago.

Besides writing, winning awards and teaching Rogers is a recognized motivational speaker who is frequently hired by corporations to train managers and workers in creativity and practical problem solving. His Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer, was selected by Writers Digest Book Club. Local writers who attend The Lake Chapala Writers Conference will certainly have every opportunity to learn from Rogers, ask questions, participate in his classes and get motivated to bring their own writing to the next level, perhaps finish that long ago started novel or memoir or submit a short story to be published. It can all be done, sometimes we just need a little confidence, something or someone to motivate us or learn about where to find publishing resources.

Karen Karbo is also a well known, much published writer and college level instructor, who has written six published novels, six biographies (no not all of her life, but of famous people as well as a family story), her works have appeared in numerous well known magazines such as Elle, Vogue and O. She is the author of How Georgia Became O´Keefe which the New York Times called “Amazing.” A review in The Washington Post said: “Karen exceeds at bringing life to the page.” Another review said about Karbo´s book The Gospel According to Coco Chanel, “This book delivers more wisdom and wit per page than Dr. Phil will dispense in a lifetime.”

Conference Dates: Thursday, March 7, and Friday, March 8, 2013 Location, Hotel Nueva Posada, Donato Guerra #9, Ajijic This year the conference will be under a large tent so that we may enjoy the spectacular Lake and mountain views with warm March weather. Registration: $1,200 pesos through February 14th February 15th to March 1st is $1,400 pesos or $110 USD or CDN. Registration includes two full days of classes, two lunches, coffee and cookies for all breaks. Tickets available at Diane Pearl’s Gallery, Colon & Ocampo For questions please e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.